Duplex plug-in device



Oct. 31, 1944. A. M. DRAVING 2,361,679

DUPLEX PLUG-IN DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 50, 1939 67 67 INVENTOR ARTHUR M. DRAVING A T TORNE YS Patented Oct. 31, 1944 DUPLEX PLUG-1N DEVICE.

Arthur M. Draving, Feasterville, Pa, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Hugh H. .Eby, Fort Wayne, Ind;

'Original application December 30, 1939, Serial No. 311,791. Divided and this application September 26, 1942, Serial No. 459,798

3 claims. ((11. 173-328) This invention relates to duplex plug-in socket devices.

While it is not broadly new in the art to provide socket devices with contacts so arranged as operatively to receive a plurality of different plugin devices in alternative selection, yet in the past so far as is known, such multi-duty socket devices have had independent and distinct female contact elements for each of the prongs of the plugin devices. This both complicates and increases the cost of the socket devices.

This invention is a division of my co-pending application, Serial Number 311,791 filed Dec. 30, 1939, now issued as Patent No. 2,296,839, dated September 29, 1942. a

It is among the objects of this invention: to provide a simplified contact having two separate prong receiving portions; to provide a socket with two prong apertures in combination with a single female contact elementhaving portions operatively associated with each aperture to receive and to establish firm electrical contact with a male prong in either opening; to provide an electrical contact device arranged for the creation of an electrical contact with prongs inserted therein in alternative laterally spaced positions; to provide a contact element for sockets arranged to establish intimate electrical contact with either of two prongs of different diameters; to provide a socket element with two different aperture patterns with female contact elements mounted on the socket overlapping selected apertures from both patterns whereby two-plug-in devices having prongs arranged in different patterns may alternatively be associated operatively with the socket with the prongs in the related apertures of the twopatterns electrically engaging a common contact in the socket; to provide a socket device arranged to receive in alternation two plugin devices having prongs and difierent pattern arrangements; to provide a socket device with a single female contact arrangement so disposed in the socket as alternatively to receive and establish electrical engagement with prongs of (interent sizes or positions; to provide muJti-duty sockets for plural plug-in devices which may be comprised either of a single or multiple molding or of suitably punched or apertured laminated sheets or combinations of moldings and laminated sheets; to improve contact for socket devices; to provide a socket device which shall incorporate in a single unit the practical and effective functions of two alternatively used socketsof forms heretofore in general use; to provide a socket device in which the number of operatively possible form of a molded socket utilizing a slightly modipositions in which electrical contact may be established with an inserted prong exceeds the number of separate and distinct prong receiving contact elementsfand many other objects will become more apparent as the description proceeds. i r

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this description:

Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary plan partially broken away of a form of laminated socket utilizing a contact according to this invention engaged between the lamination.

'Fig. 2 represents a similar view of'amodified 1 form of laminated socket with a contact threaded through the lower plate." a r a Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the socket according to Fig.1. 1

Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the socket according to Fig. 2. Y

Figs. 5 and 6 represent respectively plans of the blank and of the completed contact as provided for association with the laminated sheets of Fig. 1 and as subsequently bent to form the contact for the socket of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 represents a bottom plan of a modified fied contact incorporating the invention, with the bottom plate removed.

Fig. 8 representsa top plan thereof. 4

Fig. 9 represents a side elevation thereof.

Referring to Fig. 5, the generally T-shaped blank shown comprises theshank 10, having a suitable soldering aperturel I at one end and at the other connecting through the restricted neck l2 with the cross'piece l3 substantially aligned with the shank l0. The' cross piece l3 has side edges l4 and I5 generally normal to the end edge 16 and therear edges ll. The blank has a central backing portion l8. Although the blank of Fig. 5 is shown as being substantially symmetri cal, it is contemplated that it may beasymmetrical so that the portion of the cross P160813 terminating in the side edge l5 may be longer than the complemental portion ending in the side edge 14, especially for the constructionof the contact ofFig.6. k p

It will be understood that. the cross piece i3 has the side. edges curledup in' relation to its central backing portion l8 to form semi-cylindrical side arms 20, 2| (Fig; 5), terminating in the respective edges l4 and I5 which latterare brought into close but spaced adjacency to each other andtothe backing portionpl8 which, when bent so that the backing portion 18 is perpendicular to the'shank It], describes a pair of semicylindrical prong embracing members 20, 2| the axes of which are normal to the shank I0. As

shown in Fig. 6 the prong embracing members have different diameters and this asymmetry is provided by imparting a further bend to the portion 2| whereby the edge I5 is brought closer to the backing portion I8 than the edge I4 to that portion. The prong embracing members 20, 2I may have the same diameter and be symmetrical.

The ears 22 and 23 extend from the edge I! of cross piece I3 and form lateral supports for the contact when inserted in a plug-in device.

In the use of the invention it is assumed, for

purposes of illustration that one plug-in device is 7 and Bthey are disposedin annular relation.

In the embodiments thus shown there is one position of adjustment in which the respective prongs can enter the respective apertures in their pattern arrangement so that the circuit making is predetermined; As the prongs pass downwardly through the respective apertures they enter and are embraced by the respective prong embracing members 20 or 2|, of the respective compound I contacts 10.. v N 1 In the laminated socket Figs. 1 to l, inclusive, the upper plate 56- earries the prong receiving enlarged apertures 51 and 58 leading to the enlarged end 20 of the contact and is also pro- Vided with a blind small aperture 6| passing through both plates, ,and'the prong contact small aperture 50. as well asone not shown, for registration with the small contact end 2| of the contact disclosed in Figs. land 2. The upper plate 56 of Figs. 1 and 3 is secured to the lower plate 55 by suitable means such as a central rivet or the like 62, and the soldering tails I project laterally of and between the two plates. Lower plate 55 has a plurality of elongated holes 3 of generally oval profile, to receive the contact parts comprised of the backing portion I 8 and arms and 2!, withthe lugs 22 and 23 overlying the plate to support the contact, especially during the entry of the prong contacts therein. In Figs. 2 m 4 the upper plate 56 is identical with that of. Figs. 1 and 3, and the lower plate 55 is only modified far enough to provide a slot 63 beside enlarged opening 54, so t-hatthe neck I2 can be constituted as a reach between the contact making portions and the reentrantly bent soldering tail Iflthrea'ded through the slot 63.

It will be noted that in Figures 1 and Zthe prong receiving arms 28, 2| of contact I0 lie slightly'in the apertures 51, 58'a'nd 6!]. The projecting ears 2I, 22 form lateral supports for the contact and extendthrough and depend from the bottom of the plate 55.

The multi-duty contact of this invention is also applicable to those types of socket wherein a plurality of prongs are arranged in two concentric annular series for alternative use. As shown in Figs.- 7 to 9 inclusive, the molded base 54 has a plurality of laterally tapering openings extending radially of the perpendicular axis passing centrally of the. screwreceiving aperture sockets of Fig. 7, for two different plug-in devices having prongs in another series, but of difierent diameters, will be understood. The prongs of larger diameter enter at ll while those of lesser diameter enter at I2.

I claim as my invention:

1. A-;socket for plug-in devices comprising a mountingsupport comprising a lower plate having a laterally elongated aperture permitting the entry of a prong of a plug-in device in two laterally spaced parallel positions, a contact mounted on the support and having integral portions forming a pair of spaced parallel substantially semi-cylindrically shaped prong-embracing members ona backing strip disposed in said aperture with the respective axes of the members substantially perpendicular to said lower plate, arranged to be engaged and to form electricalcontact with prongs in either of said spaced positions, said mounting support further comprising an upper plate disposed in substantially parallel slightly spaced relation to the lower plate, means on the contact overlapping the upper surface of the lower plate, and said upper plate having a pair of spaced prong receiving apertures registering with the respective integral prong-embracing members of the contact.

2. A socket for plug-in devices comprising a mounting support comprising a lower plate having a laterally. elongated aperture permitting the entry of a prong of a plug-in device in two laterally spaced parallel positions, a contact mounted on the support and having integral portions forming a pair of spaced parallel substantially semicylindrically shaped prong-embracing members on a'backing strip disposed in said aperture with the respective axes of the members substantially perpendicular to said lower plate, arranged to be engaged and. to form electrical contact with prongs in either of said spaced positions, said mounting support further comprising an upper plate disposed in substantially parallel slightly spaced relation to the lower plate, means on the contact overlapping the upper surface of the-lower plate, and said upper plate having a pairof spaced prong-receiving apertures registering with the respective integral prong-embracing members of said contact, and of different diameters. 3. A socket for a plurality of plug-in devices of different eifective'prong patterns, comprising a base having a plurality of apertures in its upper surface conformable with thereception alternately of plug-in devices of difierent efiective prong patterns, an integral contact having a plurality of spaced parallel substantially semi-cylindrical shaped prong-embracing members on a backing strip, means mounting the contact in the base with the respective prong-embracing members'in operative prong receiving relation to a plurality 'of apertures containing apertures from each such pattern with the respective members in position to receive a prong axially'of the prong and member. 7

ARTHUR'M. DRAV-ING. 

